Head Restraints

The IAG Research Centre is a member of the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group (IIWPG), a subgroup of the RCAR that has been lobbying manufacturers to improve head restraint design for more than five years. IIWPG members include;

Head Restraint testing consists of a Static test to determine the position and adjustability of the head restraint, and a Dynamic test to measure the head restraint performance in a rear end crash. Choose a vehicle class to see how your vehicles head restraint rates:

Small

Small Medium

Medium

Large

People Mover

Sports

SUV

Ute

Van

Adjusting your head restraint

The top of the head restraint must be at least as high as your eyes and as close as is comfortable to the back of your head.

Whether you are the driver or a passenger, you should always check your head restraint when getting into a car, in the same way you'd adjust the mirror and seat. This is particularly important if you share a car or you're in a car you don't normally use. The head restraints may have been adjusted for someone of a different size and may not suit you.

Incorrect position of head restraint

Correct position of head restraint

How we test the head restraints

The Static test is conducted using a special device that attaches to an H-Point machine. This determines the height and the backset of the head restraint.

The Dynamic test is conducted by RCAR member partners, IIHS and Thatcham Motor Insurance Research Centre. The high technology test rig simulates a 15 km/h rear end collision and uses a complex BioRID crash dummy that has a human like neck structure.